Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets Belgium King Philippe on the side line of the 47th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 17, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Belgium should make joint efforts to oppose trade protectionism, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while meeting with Belgium's King Philippe in Switzerland.

Both sides should maintain a fair and free global trade and investment system, Xi said.

The two leaders had a meeting during the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Davos World Economic Forum. Xi made a keynote speech during the open ceremony of the forum. About 3,000 political and business leaders attended the forum.

Xi spoke highly of Belgium's support toward the one-China principle, saying that Belgium has respected China's major concerns and core interests.

China hopes that Belgium could play a more positive role in deepening the China-European relationship, Xi told the King.

The two countries could enhance cooperation in areas including high-end manufacture, biological pharmacy, modern service industry and sustainable development, he said.

The Belgian monarch said that faced by the turmoil of the current global situation, Belgium is willing to make joint efforts with China to safeguard world peace.

Calling China a great nation, King Philippe said that Belgium and China hold similar views on many important global issues. He also expressed gratitude for being deemed by China as being at the heart of Europe.